Opening date announced for the new Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway heritage and main line rail interchange

On Wednesday 15 August, the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway (C&PRR) will become the nearest main line connected heritage railway to London, with a cross-platform interchange facility when the newly restored platform is opened at Princes Risborough. The steam railway will be under 25 miles and 40 minutes from Marylebone.

The 100% volunteer operated C&PRR is delighted to officially announce that following the latest project review of track and platform construction progress at Princes Risborough, the new main line interchange facility will open on 15 August.

The inaugural train will be for guests who have supported the project, such as the Department for Transport with their £75,000 grant made in August 2016, Network Rail and Chiltern Railways who have worked tirelessly in this period alongside C&PRR volunteers to make sure the project was completed.

Public services will operate in the afternoon of 15 August running as ‘The Watlington Flyer’ travelling non-stop in around 15 minutes each way for the four-mile trip in each direction. Tickets at the normal Adult/Concession/Child price will only be sold in advance - they will be valid for one return journey between Princes Risborough and Chinnor or vice versa, and they will go on sale on Sunday 01 July 2018.

Until 15 August, trains will only operate between Chinnor and Thame Junction enabling the final track alterations to be carried out at Princes Risborough. Summer Thursday steaming on 16, 23, 30 August services will also only operate to Thame Junction.

Saturday 18 August will be a normal operating day but with trains commencing at 11.00 from Chinnor and 11.40 from Princes Risborough, with tickets valid for one round-trip only. From Sunday 19 August and subsequent weekend operating days will be as per 18 August, but tickets will be valid all day as normal.

C&PRR Chairman Danny Woodward said: “We have carried out a lot of research into what the opening afternoon loadings may be, but the truth is we don’t know what will happen! We have been advised by colleagues in the heritage railway sector to expect up to a 35% surge in passenger numbers, so to make sure of travelling, intending visitors are urged to secure their tickets in advance via the website.”